GSC Week Six Preview and Picks

October 9th, 2024 10:00pm

Week Six GSC Preview & Picks

It was another exciting week in the Gulf South last Saturday and this week proves to provide more of the same. Delta State has reentered the Top 25, just in time for a road game with West Florida, while West Alabama puts a Top 15 ranking on the line after two weeks away from action.

Week Five Results (home team in bold)

No. 3 Valdosta State 59, Shorter 6

North Greenville 38, Benedict 21

West Florida 31, Mississippi College 0*

Delta State 54, Chowan 9*

Week Six Schedule (all times Eastern)
*indicates Gulf South Conference game

Shorter (2-1) at Chowan (1-3)
Saturday, Oct. 12 | 1:00 pm | Murfreesboro, N.C. | Stats | Video

Shorter ran into the buzz saw that is Valdosta State last week and suffered its first loss of the season after gaining just 195 yards of total offense. Despite the setback, quarterback Harold Cook boasts a 70% completion rate and has thrown for 565 yards and four touchdowns. Kicker Tyler Simpson is a perfect 7-for-7 on field goal attempts this season, including three kicks from beyond 40 yards and a long of 52 yards.

A week after collecting its first win of the season, Chowan reverted back to its losing ways, falling by a 45-point margin to Delta State. The offense continues to struggle, averaging just 258.3 yards per game with eight total turnovers. With a lack of consistency under center, the Hawks will continue to fight an uphill battle each week.

Shorter should be able to shake off the rust of a long road trip and collect win number three on year in this one. SU’s offense is much more capable of putting points on the board, and if they get ahead Chowan doesn’t have the firepower to play from behind.

My pick: Shorter

No. 3 Valdosta State (5-0,1-0 GSC) at North Greenville (2-2,1-0 GSC)*
Saturday, Oct. 12 | 3:00 pm | Tigerville, S.C. | Stats | Video

The Blazers proved resilient despite ongoing adjustments from Hurricane Helene, taking care of Shorter last week on the road. Valdosta State surpassed 500 yards of total offense for the third straight game, including 411 yards through the air as Sammy Edwards finished 19-for-29 with 348 yards and two touchdowns, adding one more on the ground. Five different players scored in the run game, while receiver Tyler Ajiero broke through for touchdowns catches of 9 and 23 yards, respectively. VSU is one of the most complete teams in the country, ranking, second in scoring defense (6 ppg), third in total defense (203.8 ypg), fourth in scoring offense (47 ppg), and sixth in total offense (487 ypg) through five games.

North Greenville has gotten back on track of late, winning its last two games by an average margin of 19.5 points. In last week’s win over Benedict, the Trailblazers collected 427 yards on offense - just 40 on the ground - as Dylan Ramirez went 13-for-17 with 377 yards and two touchdowns, both to Ahmari Coats on the outside. Dynamic playmaker Dre Williams is back for the offense after missing the first three games with injury, while the defense is hanging its hat on a secondary that ranks 29th in NCAA Division II with just 161 passing yards allowed per game.

The Trailblazers have a non-existent run game, averaging less than 100 yards per game on the year, which means there is little chance they can control the clock and keep Valdosta State’s offense off the field. NGU does have big play potential, but the Blazers should take advantage of their ability to make a difference on defense.

My pick: No. 3 Valdosta State

It was another disappointing outing for the Choctaws last week in a 54-9 loss to West Florida where Mississippi College gained just SEVEN offensive yards in the game. Add in three turnovers via interception and nothing seemed to go right for MC in the loss. The Choctaws average just 8.8 points and 235.8 yards per game through five games and things aren’t getting any easier with West Alabama and Valdosta State on the schedule in back-to-back weeks.

West Alabama’s defense continues to dominate early on in 2024, holding opponents to just 17.75 points and 300.5 yards per game. The offensive unit, led by quarterback Spencer Arceneaux, has been complimentary to say the least with 32.25 points and 341.8 yards per game. This is the most balanced Tigers’ team we’ve seen in quite some time and the success is a direct by-product of consistency on both sides of the ball.

The Tigers have now had two unexpected bye weeks to rest and shift their focus to Mississippi College, which doesn’t bode well for the Choctaws. MC is one of the worst offenses in the country and West Alabama’s defense will be stifling once again while the UWA offense may have a chance to get some reserves on the field in the second half.

My pick: No. 13 West Alabama

Let’s all welcome the Statesmen back to the Top 25! After last week’s impressive win over Chowan, Delta State is now No. 25 in the D2Football.com poll and has a chance to continue its rise up the ranks this week. Cole Kirk was steady last week, tossing three touchdown passes in just over two quarters of action while Kelvin Smith rushed for two scores of his own. The DSU defense has totaled 29 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in five games thus far, showing the ability to put pressure on the opposing quarterback leading to five total interceptions.

West Florida rebounded from back-to-back losses with a 31-0 shutout of Mississippi College as the defense was the star of the show, collecting five sacks and three turnovers while holding the Choctaws to just seven total offensive yards. The Argo defense has held opponents to just 255.8 yards per game, including 115.3 yards on the ground, thanks in large part to a front seven that has accumulated 46 tackles for loss.

Delta State’s ground game is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, which should bode well for game control. West Florida’s achilles heel has been turnovers, including six interceptions from quarterback Marcus Stokes, and the Statesmen are an opportunistic bunch on defense. Give me DSU on the road.

My pick: No. 25 Delta State